Grandfather's Illegal Journal
Norah O'Donnell discovers that her grandfather illegally came to the United States through Canada.
Great Grandmother Sues Oil Company
Norah O'Donnell finds out that her great grandmother took her employer, Holmes Oil, to court
Hardworking Grandmother
Norah O'Donnell discusses her grandmother's courage to move to the United States on her own at 12 years old.
Coming to America Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. helps Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, news anchor Norah O’Donnell and fashion designer Zac Posen explore their immigrant roots, retracing the journeys of their ancestors who arrived in the United States with little more than a dream--and revealing why that dream is still so inspiring today.
Breaking Silences Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the family secrets of journalist Gayle King, film director Jordan Peele, and comedian Issa Rae, introducing them to ancestors who raise profound questions about the shape and meaning of their family trees.
One Third White
Gayle King learns new information from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. that she is one-third white and of European descent.
Stronger Sense of Pride
Jordan Peele talks about the deep wound that is inherited from the trauma of slavery.
Free People of Color
Issa Rae discovers that her ancestors were free people of color during the time of slavery.
Grandfathers History
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. shares new information with Gayle King about the two possible men that could be her great-grandfather.
Sale of Slaves
Jordan Peele learns new information about his ancestors and considers the psychological trauma that may live through his family as a result.
Great Grandfather Died in Battle
Issa Rae discovers that in 1917 her Great Grandfather died in battle for the French by German shellfire.
Biracial Grandmother
Gayle King talks about her grandmother, who was biracial, and how she was ashamed to speak of her father.
Flight Preview
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. meets actors Scarlett Johansson and Lupita Nyong’o, and chef Lidia Bastianich — three women whose families crisscrossed the globe to escape oppression and find opportunity, leaving them with questions about their relatives who stayed behind.
Lupita Nyong’o Has DNA from the Oldest Maternal Haplogroup
Lupita Nyongo carries DNA from the oldest maternal haplogroup called Mitochondrial Eve, something we’ve never seen on the show before. During this time, no human beings were alive outside of Africa meaning every person on Earth was Black!
Scarlett Johansson Remembers Her Family Pre-Holocaust
Scarlett Johansson discovers the tragic fate of her family that stayed behind in Poland during the Holocaust. She reflects on the decision her great-grandfather made to flee to America and the immense impact it had on her entire family line.
Journey To America
Scarlett Johansson discovers the tragic fate of her family that stayed behind in Poland during the Holocaust. She reflects on the decision her great-grandfather made to flee to America and the immense impact it had on her entire family line.
Wasrsaw Unexpected
Scarlett Johansson discovers the tragic fate of her family that stayed behind in Poland during the Holocaust. She reflects on the decision her great-grandfather made to flee to America and the immense impact it had on her entire family line.
Father Missing
Lupita Nyongo carries DNA from the oldest maternal haplogroup called Mitochondrial Eve, something we’ve never seen on the show before. During this time, no human beings were alive outside of Africa meaning every person on Earth was Black!
Saying Goodbye
As a child, Lidia Bastianich’s family fled her hometown of Pola to escape
communist rule. She ended up spending two years in a refugee camp before finally securing a visa to the United States.
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